Creattura AWD/ JCM Project in Narsingdi

Background of the Project: Rice is very important for Bangladesh. It is the main food people eat and a key part of the country’s farming economy. Among all types of rice, Boro rice is the most widely grown each year. However, traditional rice farming in places like Narsingdi uses a method called continuous flooding. This method uses a lot of water and is not good for the environment or for farmers’ finances. This traditional method has serious problems. It is draining groundwater fast, which may cause water shortages in the future. Flooded fields also produce methane gas, a greenhouse gas that harms the climate. At the same time, farmers spend more money on water, energy, and labor, which increases their costs. To address these problems, the Creattura AWD/JCM Project in Narsingdi was launched. The goal is to make rice farming climate-friendly, water-efficient, and profitable. The project uses a method called Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD). In this method, fields are allowed to dry for some time before watering again. This simple change helps farmers increase yields by 15–20%, save 30–40% of water, and reduce methane emissions. The project is run by PAPRI (Poverty Alleviation through Participatory Rural Initiatives) with support from Share the Planet Association and Creattura, Japan, providing both funding and technical guidance. Project Concept: The Creattura AWD/JCM Project in Narsingdi is a focused six-month initiative implemented by the organisationPAPRI (Poverty Alleviation Through Participatory Rural Initiatives) to address critical agricultural and environmental challenges in central Bangladesh. With financial and technical support from Share the Planet Association of Japan, the project is being implemented in Naraynpur and Radhanagar unions under Belabo and Raipura upazilas of Narsingdi District Narsingdi is a predominantly agricultural region where rice occupies nearly 80–90% of the cultivated land. Farmers in this area, particularly during the Boro season, depend almost entirely on groundwater through continuous flood irrigation, keeping rice fields submerged throughout the cropping period. Although this method ensures good yields, it has created a severe water and environmental crisis. Under the project initiatives, staff and farmers received specialized training on AWD principles, field implementation, and data recording. This was followed by a comprehensive farmer survey to identify participants and document baseline conditions of their rice fields. Each plot was then numbered and mapped for easy monitoring and record-keeping. Once farmers were ready for field activities, the project supported them in seedbed preparation and ensured that transplanting was carried out in a timely manner to maintain consistency across demonstration plots. After transplanting, observation wells (Magic Pipes) were installed in each field to initiate AWD irrigation. The AWD process began with regular water-level measurement and monitoring, allowing farmers to irrigate only when necessary. Project staff conducted periodic meetings with farmers to review progress, discuss challenges, and provide technical guidance. To encourage continued participation and ensure motivation, the project also provided incentive support to farmers adopting AWD practices. By the end of the project, irrigation water use is expected to decline by 30–40%, methane emissions to reduce by a similar margin, and rice yields to increase by 15–20%. Reduced irrigation costs will make AWD economically attractive, allowing farmers to reinvest their savings into further agricultural development. The project aligns closely with national agricultural priorities and global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 1, 2, 12, and 13). Through knowledge transfer, institutional collaboration, and practical demonstration, the project will empower local farmers to become champions of sustainable rice cultivation—laying the foundation for long-term environmental resilience and food security in Narsingdi. Name of the project: Creattura AWD/JCM Project in Narsingdi Goal: Increase rice production by 15-20% through the AWD method by enhancing awareness and skills while reducing methane gas emissions. Purpose: Enhance farmers' awareness and skills to improve rice productivity through the application of the AWD method, while reducing methane gas emissions associated with climate change. Total Direct beneficiaries: 254 farmer Working Area: 5 villages of Belabo & Raipura Upazila under Narsingdi district Project Donor: Share the Plannet Association, Japan & Creattura, Japan Duration: The project has a duration of six months, commencing on 1 December 2024 and concluding on 31 May 2025. Basic Information of the Project Areas: Total Farmers: 254 Total plots: 544 Land Areas: 51 hectares Key activities are performed during the project: Several key milestones were reached over the project's six-month duration as follows: • Staff recruitment was completed. • Farmer surveys were completed. • All 544 plots were identified and numbered. • Staff training was successfully conducted. • The project was officially inaugurated on 19 December 2024. • Farmer training was completed between 28 December 2024 and 2 January 2025. • A District Level Project Orientation was successfully held on 19 January 2025, with 110 participants • A Union Level Project Orientation was successfully held on 20 January 2025, with 40 participants including the UNO of Raipura as chief guest. • Installation of 12 GHG measurement chambers (6 at AWD plots and 6 at non-AWD plots) was completed on 15 January 2025 with the support of a specialized team from BRRI. • Spot training on chamber setup, data collection, and safety was provided to field staff. • Online meetings were held with Share the Planet Association and Creattura multiple times. Field visits were conducted by representatives from Share the Planet Association, BRRI, and PAPRI leadership to observe project activities and engage with farmers. • Incentives were successfully distributed to all 254 participating farmers on 27 April 2025. • Harvesting commenced in late April 2025 and continued up to May 2025. • Work began on a documentary film about the project's success, organized by Share the Planet Association and IFAD. Accomplished activities during reporting period as follow Sl no Activities Target Achievement Remarks 01 Total land area 50 Hectors 51 Hectors 02 Orientation on Survey 01 day 01 day 03 Farmer’s Survey conduction 254 farmers 254 farmers 04 Staff Training 01 time 01 time 05 Plot numbering 549 plots 549 plots 06 Training on Apps 01 day 01 day 07 Farmers Training (06 Days) 254 farmers 248 farmers 08 Organize union level Project Orientation 01 01 09 Organize district level Project Orientation 01 01 10 Support the Installation of Gas Chambers 12 chambers 12 chambers 11 Observation Pipe numbering and distribution 549 549 12 Plot-wise water-level measurement 6892 7035 13 Upload picture of plot at (-)15 cm 1088 1342 14 Pictures Input in Apps 1632 2192 15 Field level meeting with data collector - 04 16 Online meeting with SPA and the Creattura 10 9 17 Meeting with Farmers Need base 06 18 Meeting with Data collectors Need base 05 19 Project Area visit by different dignitaries Individuals Need base 24 Major Outcomes: • Farmers are happy to see the rice yield. Almost all farmers have been covered under the AWD system. • Farmers have become aware of the various varieties of rice for boro cultivation. The local agriculture department has focused on the implementation of the AWD system within the project area. • Union Parishad, Upazila Administration, Local Elite - In particular, people of different classes, including imams, teachers, fertilizers, fertilizers, have become aware of the AWD system in paddy cultivation mainly boro cultivation. Challenges: • Bringing all farmers within the project's scope. • Starting project work at the earliest preparation time. • Conducting extensive training in a very short time to ensure data and agriculture extension. • Motivating all farmers to prepare seedbeds in due time. • Planting seedlings together at a specific age. • Completing farmer training within the shortest possible time. Learnings: • It is possible to motivate farmers through the presentation of accurate agricultural information and practical collaboration at the field level, using training and motivation on productive subjects. • Even though the use of AWD and Go-Tech technologies may be new for data collectors and field mobilizers in the project, ensuring their effective use will help establish a dynamic coordination with technology in the project's implementation in the coming days.